Carnival Valor

Carnival Valor was launched in 2004 as the 3rd of five ships in Carnival's Conquest class - the series which preceded the Dream-class trio.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). Carnival Cruise Lines has Corporation's largest fleet as both a number of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). CCL has over 1/5 of the cruise industry's worldwide market.

The 110,239-ton, 2,974-passenger cruise ship Carnival Liberty and her Conquest-class sister ships Conquest, Liberty, Glory, and Freedom, are among the biggest in the fleet of Carnival. They are basically larger versions of earlier Destiny-class ships, as well as more feature-filled. More space reveals into additional decks, with even more bars and lounges, an upscale steak house, and well-proportioned public areas. 

Cruise itinerary program

Carnival Valor itinerary program is based on week-long roundtrip cruises departing from Bridgetown and San Juan. Out of Port Canaveral, the ship offers Western Caribbean sailings to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Belize, Roatan, Grand Turk, and the Bahamas.

In 2021, Carnival Valor has scheduled two Transatlantic crossings. Both itineraries are 15-days, one eastbound from Port NOLA New Orleans to Barcelona (January 25 - February 9, visiting Hamilton Bermuda, Funchal Madeira, Malaga, Valencia) and one westbound from Barcelona to NOLA (February 26 - March 13, visiting Cartagena, Malaga, Funchal Madeira; Philipsburg St Maarten, San Juan Puerto Rico). Both Transatlantic cruises were planned because of the 17-day drydock refurb at Navantia Shipyard (in Cadiz Spain).

Cabins

Carnival Valor has a total number of 1492 cabins (of which 52 Suites, 513 Balcony rooms) in 34 grades. It has no family cabins but offers several connecting rooms in a variety of categories, as well as 18 Spa cabins. The ship also has 29 accessible cabins in all cabin categories. Most Carnival Valor staterooms are 185-220-sq.foot insides (577), oceanview (340) and balcony (513, with verandas of 75 sq.feet). There are also a total of 52 suites, measuring between 275-500 sq.feet. More than 50% of the cabins offer ocean view, among them 60% offer also private verandas. The three types of suites are Captain's Suites, Grand Suites, and Ocean Suites. Suite passengers receive priority embarkation and debarkation, VIP check-in, and a deluxe bathroom.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

On Carnival Valor, the two main dining rooms offer traditional dinner with set times and tablemates or flexible dining, via "Your Choice Dining" Carnival program. Washington Restaurant is nicer of the duo. It is located aft and framed by 3 walls of windows. Lincoln is positioned in a central spot, but both offer the same menu. At dinner, the vegetarian and low-carb fare is served, as well as Spa Carnival choices. Cuisine often exceeds expectations, especially at Scarlett’s Supper Club and the sushi station. The casual Rosie’s buffet offers a number of food stations with a variety of choices, including a salad bar, deli, dessert station, daily regional cuisines. The 24-hour room service provides a limited selection of items.

Carnival Valor emerged from her 16-day dry dock on May 08, 2016 with a host of new restaurants and bars, including upgrades already received by most of the rest vessels in the fleet. In addition to the apothecary-like Alchemy Bar, candy story Cherry on Top, RedFrog Pub and SkyBox Sports Bar, the ship also received poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, as well as their complementary eateries, Guy's Burger Joint (which has a tie-in with Food Network superstar Guy Fieri) and BlueIguana Cantina.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Valor restaurants and food bars.

• Lincoln Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings or “Your Time Dining”; offers “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts for $5)
• Washington Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and open seating breakfast and lunch)
• Rosie’s Lido Buffet Restaurant (1396-seat, self-service buffet restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings)
• Scarlett’s Steakhouse (108-seat specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood; with dance floor and live music)
• Sushi Bar (complimentary)
• Sushi at Sea (Lido Bar) mini version of Bonsai Sushi, offers a la carte priced menu with rolls, sushi, sashimi, prices vary between USD 1,50-7,50.
• Alchemy Bar, candy story Cherry on Top, RedFrog Pub, SkyBox Sports Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The theme of Valor's decor is "Heroes and Heroism," regarding not just Americans, but heroes from every corner of the world. Cruisers are first represented to the theme as they board through the atrium lobby on Deck 3. To be sure, there is still enough Farcus bling in the details, bright molded gold leaf-gilded eagles on simulated pedestals are scattered all around the liner, as well as coffered ceilings of glossy, reflective materials and plenty of blinking lights and flashing video screens to trigger a 1960's light flashback. Like her Conquest-class sisters, Valor also boasts a 3-deck theater - Ivanhoe, and a series of stores. Carnival Valor offers the typical Carnival experience blended with a handful of twists. The "old faithfuls" are also there: personal service and diverse evening entertainment ranging from Vegas floor show to jazz to the "piano man".

Follows the complete list of Carnival Valor lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Ivanhoe Theatre (1400-seat main show lounge for musical productions and shows; also used for movies and bingo)
• Valor Atrium American Lobby (9-deck high open floor area; features American Lobby Bar with piano and stage for live performances)
• Betsy Ross Card Room (28-seat); John Paul Jones Art Gallery (36-seat); Iliad Library (17-seat; offers board games); Photo Gallery and Shop; Kiosk (S and S Card service); Capital Conference Room (100-seat)
• Circle C (complimentary kids club lounge with video games, parties, and planned activities)
• The Web Internet Cafe (24-hour, 6 Internet computers room)
• Washington’s Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music)
• The Fun Shops (offers “Bon Voyage” items, duty-free liquor, jewelry, fashion boutiques, souvenirs, logo items); Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, special occasion gifts)
• Bronx Bar (55-seat sports bar); Java Cafe (specialty coffee bar); Jeanne’s Bar (30-seat wine bar); Lindy Hop Bar (100-seat piano bar); Paris Hot Bar (88-seat jazz bar)
• Shogun Casino (484-seat); King Boulevard Promenade Bar (23-seat)
• Club O2 (teens' lounge for video games, movies, karaoke, and themed parties); Video Games Arcade (24-hour)
• One Small Step Disco and Nightclub (211-seat); Eagles Lounge and Bar (425-seat; hosts Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch).
• Argonaut area (with two Whirlpools, two poolside bars, Grilles, and stage for live performances)
• Prometheus Pool area (aft pool served by Prometheus Bar, Grille, Pizzeria; with two Whirlpools and Sky Dome glass roof)
• Aqua Park (Dolphin Pool area which is connected to the Twister Waterslide; with one Whirlpool, splash pools, fountains)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (LED screen outdoor cinema; with a stage for live performances)
• Spa Carnival complex (with Steam Rooms, Saunas, Massage Room, Beauty Salon, Spa Pool, Gymnasium)
• Sports Deck (multi-sports court/basketball, volleyball; Tennis Tables, Shuffleboard); Jogging Track; 9-hole Mini-Golf Course
• Serenity (adult-only sundeck with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, padded lounges)
• Camp Ocean (kids' club lounge hosting complementary programs with supervised activities, an outdoor playground). Camp Carnival's wading/paddling pool for kids is no longer available.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2016. Valor is of Carnival's Conquest-class liners, with sisterships Conquest, Freedom, Glory, Liberty. The vessel was christened by godmother Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric - US journalist, author at "Yahoo! Global News"). Ship's interior design decoration follows the "Heroes and Heroism" theme (by Joe Farcus).

Carnival Valor refurbishment 2016 review

The list of deckplan changes made during the ship's drydock 2016 refurbishment (April 23 – May 7, done in Freeport Bahamas) includes:

• New eateries and poolside bars (by the Fun Ship 2.0 program) were added on Lido Deck 9. These are Guy’s Burger Joint (replacing the Grille /starboard), BlueIguana Cantina (replacing the Grille /portside), RedFrog Rum Bar (pool forward starboard) and BlueIguana Tequila Bar (pool forward portside).
• On Promenade deck 5 was added the Cherry on Top (candy shop) replacing the Formalities shop. New bars on Deck 5 are SkyBox Sports Bar (replacing Bronx Bar /portside), Alchemy Bar (replacing Jeanne’s wine bar) and RedFrog Pub (taking some space from the Club O2 lounge /portside).

Various technical enhancements were also be implemented, including shoreside power capabilities. Routine maintenance works included new hull coating.

Vessel's first drydock refurbishment was in 2008 ("Fun Ship 1.0" / "Evolution of Fun"). A new Mongolian Grill was added to the Lido restaurant, and Lido Deck received the huge LED screen for outdoor movies and shows. The second drydock was in 2011 (2-week project).

In 2011 were improved the Serenity (adults-only sundeck), 6 new scenic oceanview rooms and 2 new suites were added. Routine maintenance and some enhancements in the hotel, the public area and lounges were also done. Drydocks 2014-2016 added "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades - new bars, lounges, new dining and entertainment options.